Ireland

In Ireland Halewood has significant ownership of the award winning West Cork Distillers and a field based sales force working out of Dublin

West Cork Distillers provides distribution across the country and produces in excess of 2 million LPA grain malt spirit per annum.

JOINT VENTURE

In 2016, Halewood Wines & Spirits acquired a significant stake in Irish whiskey producer West Cork Distillers as it expands its footprint in the category.

West Cork Distillers reflects the company’s attitude to develop new products and increase distribution both in the UK and internationally. It was founded in 2003 by three close friends Denis McCarthy, Ger McCarthy & John O’Connell in Union Hall, West Cork, Ireland. Ger & Denis had been deep sea trawler men whilst John was a research & development scientist for some large blue chip food & beverage companies.

Inspired by West Cork’s proud history in artisan food & beverage production, the three lifelong friends set about establishing a distillery to produce the highest quality spirits & provide sustainable employment in this beautiful and remote part of Ireland.

The team at West Cork Distillers has grown steadily since its inception to encompass the “CAN DO” famous West Cork spirit.

PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES

The distillery at West Cork is very unique in that most of the mashing, fermentation & distilling equipment was handcrafted on site by the team at WCD. No other distillery work force can be so knowledgeable and intimately married to its equipment.

WCD has several notable ways-of-working which all contribute to making the finest quality spirits.
WCD is the most southerly located distillery on the Atlantic Archipelago which provides a unique meso-thermal microclimate for which West Cork is famous and which is ideal for the maturation of Irish whiskey.

WCD triple distills all its Irish whiskey.

WCD malts some of its own barley.

WCD only uses Irish grown grain in the production of its Irish whiskey.

WCD only uses pot stills in the production of its Irish whiskey.

WCD only uses spring water in the production of its Irish whiskey (i.e. no treated municipal water is used).

WCD only half fills its spirit stills in order to allow for maximal copper – spirit vapour interactions which is key to the production of quality Irish whiskey.